Batteries are probably one of the most commonly used things by people all around the world (some places more than others). They make many small household appliances run, keep your watch working, and among other things...that's right, keep your cell phone thriving and loyal by your side. Batteries are man's best friend. They keep things from "dying" but unfortunately they do not last forever.

Battery packs aren't as cheap as their size, why? Because people need them to make their much needed accessories work. In a fact sheet called "Household Batteries Facts" put out by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), it states that, "Americans purchase more than two billion household batteries a year..." The problem with these essential sidekicks for our electronic devices is that when batteries are "dead" the majority of people throw them away.

Throwing away a battery may not seem like a big deal, beside what could a small AAA battery do, right? The truth is it could do a great deal of damage not only to the environment but also to humans. The most commonly purchased battery is the primary alkaline battery (since it lasts longer) which is non-rechargeable and contains high amounts of "mercury and manganese dioxide". These two components are highly hazardous and are part of a great and growing market.

According to the EPA, "Long-term exposure can permanently damage the brain, kidneys, and fetuses," and the most common way of being exposed to this is through, "mercury-contaminated water, and food, especially fish". So why aren't the battery industries more environmentally conscious and make batteries without mercury? Because mercury is a, "integral part" of batteries and, "cannot be eliminated". Some manufacturers of batteries have stated to make a commitment to lower the level of mercury in Alkaline batteries. However, the true solution is to inform the consumer on what we can do to help.

The Solution is in our hands

The way to protect the environment and ourselves from such harmful components like mercury, without fasting from battery use is to change consumer habits:

Choose Alkaline batteries with the lowest amount of Mercury.

1) Choose secondary batteries (rechargeable batteries) that can be recycled when no longer used.
2) If you have a choice to do so, choose battery-free toys and/or appliances as often as possible.
3) Search for solar powered devices (calculators, watches, etc.)
4) Turn off devices when not in use.

5) Always make sure you truly DO NOT have batteries lying around some where before you buy more.
Batteries can also be recycled but, "not all batteries have enough metal in them to make recycling cost-effective...However, mercury and silver oxide batteries, as well as nickel-cadmium batteries, are processed for metals recovery".

In a way alkaline batteries are good to buy since they last longer and even though they are stored for two years, they maintain, according to the website "Earth 911", "90% of their original capacity". The point is to be aware of saving the energy it has (ex/ turning a device off when it is not being used) and always recycle.
(For additional tips on the Longest Life use of Batteries visit: http://earth911.org/blog/2007/04/02/help-the-environment-batteries/)

SOURCES

"Household Batteries Facts".  http://www.epa.state.oh.us/pic/facts/hhwbatt.html. 8/19/07.
"Battery Statistics". http://batteryuniversity.com/parttwo-55.htm. 8/19/07.
"Help the Environment-- Batteries".  http://earth911.org/blog/2007/04/02/help-the-environment-batteries/. 8/19/07.